Electric automusical instrument.



T. E. R. PHILLIPS. ELECTRIC AUTOMUSIGAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21, 1908.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANQGRAFH C0.,WASH|NuT0:N. D. C.

T. E. R. PHILLIPS.

COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH Co.. WASHINGTON, D. C.

Patented Mar. 12,1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

T. E. R. PHILLIPS.

ELECTRIC AUIOMUSIGAL INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21, 1908.

1,020, 1 55. Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0..WASHINOTDN. D. c.

T. E. R. PHILLIPS. ELEOTRIO AUTOMUSIOAL INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21, 1908.

1,020,155. Patented Mar. 12,1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

1 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAI'H cu., WASHINGTON. b. c.

55 lators combined up in one mechanism,

THOMAS ERNEST RAYMOND PHILLIPS, OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC AUTOMUSICAL. INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

Application filed October 21, 1908. Serial No. 458,890.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS ERNEST RAY- uonn PHILLIPS, a subject of the King of England, residing at Liverpool,in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented new and useful Improvements in or Connected with Electric Automusical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to electrically operated auto musical instruments, such as pianos, organs, and other similar instruments, or.instruments which are equivalent to them for the purposes of this inven tion; but for convenience, the invention will be described in connection with auto-pianos or like keyed instruments, in which the notes are caused to be struck or operated through the agency of a roll or sheet of paper or equivalent material, which is perforated, and passed or moved in connection with an electric contact mechanism or means, which causes the notes to be actuated by electromagnets, whose action is controlled by such perforated sheet or strip.

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate an electric auto-piano in which the invention hereunder is comprised; and with regard to the invention claimed as novel,

this is set out in the statement of claim,

comprising the several claiming clauses concluding the specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing diagrammatically all the various controlling and actuating parts, and the electric connections and appliances. Fig. 2 is a front elevation; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the controlling and actuating apparatus. Fig. 4 is a detail of a multiple controlling regulator or rheostat. Fig. 4 illustrates part of Fig. l in section. Figs. 5 and 6 are longitudinal section and cross section showing a part of the circuit opening and closing device in detail.

The keys of a piano, which may be assumed to be of the existing type, marked 1 in the diagram view in Fig. 1, each has, preferably on the underside, an armature 3, and below each armature an electromagnet 2; and these various magnets are separately connected up electrically by suitable connections with bus bars hereinafter described.

In connection with the keys and magnets 1, 2, there is employed a plurality of regubut each capable of being separately operated. This is shown in Fig. 4 -in which there are four devices-and they are scribed. These regulators are connected up and adapted to operate in connection with a corresponding number namely four of bus-bars 4, with each of which a group or series of keys of the piano is connected; namely, there will be a bass set, say comprising sixteen notes, a tenor set comprising sixteen notes, an alto set comprising sixteen notes, and a treble set comprising seventeen notes; and these sets of notes will be connected up with the said respective bus-bars 4 by separate conductors.

If desired, the respective switch devices of the regulators may be mounted on a common axis, with separate operating handles or the like, as is done in the arrangement shown in Fig. 4. By means of these regulators, the power of the current supplied to any or all of the said bus-bars and keys connected with same, can be controlled and varied at will, so that the tone and power of the notes given out may be rendered louder or softer, or moderated, and different loudnesses or power so given to the various sets of notes; but as regards these sets of keys and notes, it is to be stated that they are not restricted to their being divided up into the particular number of sets specified.

The fixed part of the contact or tracker bar device by which the circuits connected with the respective key magnets are opened and closed, is designated 5, and is comprised of metal plates 7 with washers 8 of fiber, paper, or like insulating material between them, all mounted upon a suitable spindle 9, with an insulating sleeve or tube 10 between it and the plates and washers. The part of this contact device over which the paper works, has a comparatively narrow surface, in the form more or less of a narrow bar 11, comprised of alternate metallic and insulating parts; advantageously be equal to the distance apart of the perforations at that part of a music roll where they are most closely placed together. This projecting part or bar 11 of the contact device projects through a wooden or other cover or part 50 on each side of it, and the parts behind or within these parts or cover plates 50 may be also inclosed; and over and in contact with these parts 50, the muslc hereinafter de- 4 and the width of the bar may 1 sheet passes-i. .e. 1

, regulating,

jecting part 11 in the direction of the move- I ment of the music sheet. The brush 12 can be turned upon its axis, its ends being suitably mounted on pivots or trunnions 13 mounted in the upright members of the frame 51, so that it can be raised off the con tact bar 11, or turned down onto it, as and.

when required; and the degree of pressure can be varied by a spring 19 if desired, whlle it can be raised off, and moved toward or away from the contact device by the movement of the general controlling device of the mechanism, in moving this device from the play position to the off position, or a re-roll posltion.

By arranging the brush 12 so that a certain lead or overlapping as referred to is ob tained, the wires of the brush can get through the apertures of the music sheet, and a more effective and generally better contact act-ion is accomplished.

In the arrangement shown, the playing, and controlling contrivances or devices are contained within a cabinet 52 comprised of an upper and lower chamber. The top and front part of this chamber has a hinged or removable lid 53, by which access can be had for introducing and changing music sheets.

The contact plates 7 are individually con nected up with the magnets 2 by wires 16, which may be made up in a cable, and led from the cabinet to the piano.

The music roll 17 is placed in the upper part of the cabinet, and the winding roller 18 at the bottom, with the contact device 5 between them; they being so disposed that the music sheet can be easily seen in front, which may be glazed; and the driving ac tion of these rollers is controlled by the play and re-roll controlling device just referred to, the handle or lever of which is marked 40.

The moving parts of the mechanism are operated from the motor 20 which is disposed in the bottom chamber of the cabinet, and it drives by a suitable band or sprocket chain or the like, a large wheel 21 on a shaft 22, from which shaft motion is transmit-ted by a chain 23 to a clutch wheel 25, mounted on a sliding shaft 24.

The clutch wheel 25 is fixed on the shaft 24, and the shaft 24 can be moved longitudinally, and the pinion 27 disengaged from the spur wheel 23 by sliding the clutch to the right, and engaged when desired, with a this spindle is actuated, that is turned, it

clutch wheel device 26, loosely mounted and suitably held in position on the shaft 24. By these means, motion is transmitted from the shaft 24. to the winding roller 18 through the pinion 27 on this shaft, and a large spur wheel 28 connected with the roller 18, which causes this roller to be revolved at a reduced speed; while, on the other hand, when motion is required to be transmitted to the music roll 17 for re-winding upon it, after a piece has been played, motion from the wheel 25 is conveyed to the spindle of the roller 17 through the clutch device 26, and a chain 32, which works upon a chain wheel on the roller spindle, this being driven at a relatively high speed, so as to rewind it quickly upon the roller after a piece has been played.

Engagement between the clutch wheel 26, and the clutch, is effected by the spring 29 acting upon the lever 30, the movement of this spring being permitted by the move ment of the cam 31 away from the lever 30,

this cam 31 being on the spindle 39 of the 1 reroll and play actuating devices.

lVith regard to the movement of the brush 12 and the spring 19, this spring is fixed at its lower end, and a chain or cord 36* from its upper end passes over a wheel 36 on the trunnion 13 of the brush, and ex- ;tends down and over the rollers 37, and is fixed to a pulley 38 on the spindle 39 of the and re-roll spindle, so that when will move the cord 36. This re-roll and play device has a handle 40 fixed on the spindle 39, and disposed outside the lower part of the front of the cabinet, and it works over a dial as shown in Fig. 2, containing on it the positions of re-roll off and play.

When the lever 10 is moved to the play position, the chain or cord 36 will be slacked or paid out, and so the spring, which is in tension, will move it, and take up such slack; and in so doing, will turn the brush 12 down onto the contacts 11 from the off In moving the handle 40 to the off position, the cord 36 down, and the brush 12 moves off the con tact bar 11; and a spring-pressed pawl 41 (or equivalent holding device) is adapted to engage with the brush, and hold it in this position; and the pawl will hold the brush there until the pawl is released by operating the end of it which projects through the front of the cabinet (shown in Fig. 3), whereupon the spring connected with the brush brings the brush down.

When the handle 10 is moved to the play position, the drive from the motor will be through a relatively slow gearing, while when it is turned to the re-roll position, the speed of the re-rolling is a relatively high one, the gearing or mechanism then in ac tion being a relatively high one. The windranged and ing-on roller 18 is at this time disconnected or free, so that the re-rolling of the music sheet upon its roller will be very rapid.

hen the lever 40 is put to the center or off position, the motor circuit is opened through an electric switch bar 43 on the spindle 39, the brush 12 is moved away from the contacts, and the mechanism stops.

Various degrees of sound volume are controlled through the medium of a switch 45 (see Fig. 4) connected up by wires 46 46 46 and 46 with the batteries or other source of supply 0, such switch being aradapted to vary the power of current supplied to the electromagnets 2 Namely, this switch 45 has a plurality of contacts 47 47 47 and 47 on each side of carriers 48, over which work switch contacts 49 49 49 and 49*, and such switch contacts are mounted on separate shafts, con centrically mounted upon each other, and are connected up withhandles 55 (which come outside the front of the cabinet), so that the innermost handle 55 will be connected to the nearest switch bar 49*, and the outermost and smaller handle 55 will be connected with the farthermost switch bar 49. The connection of each handle 55 55 55 and 55 with the respective switch contacts 49 49 49 and 49 is illustrated in Fig. 4-. The handle 55 is connected with and adapted to operate the switch contact 49 through the medium of a screw threaded central spindle and the switch contactbase 71 the latter of which is bolted to the spindle 7 0 by the nuts 7 2 On this central spindle 70 are concentrically mounted two hollow spindles 70 and 70 which are respectively screw-threaded on their outer surfaces, and are connected at one end with the switch contacts 49 49 through the medium of switch contact bases 71 and 71 and nuts 72 and 72 and at the other end with the respective handles 55 and 55 while the handle 55 is attached to one end of the screw-threaded outer concentric spin dle 70 which has the switch contact 49 mounted on the outer end through the medium of the switch contact base 71 which is bolted by a nut 72 against a shoulder portion 73 formed on the hollow spindle 70. The four spindles arranged as clescribed are carried in a flanged screw threaded sleeve 74 fitted in an aperture in the front wall of the casing or box of the instrument, with the handles of differentlengths disposed one in front of the other at the said front. As stated, each of these bars 49 at one end works over the series of contacts 47 47 47 and 47*, while the other end of each works over and in contact with a single contact plate 56 56 56 and 56", each of which is electrically connected by wires 57 57 57 or 57 with one of the bus-bars 4. Each of the series of contacts 47 47 47 and 47 comprises three separate contacts, and each of these three contacts of each series is connected up with an electrical source of energy of dif-. ferent power by wires 46, 46 46 and 46 connected to the several leads 46. The wires 46 are shown in Fig. 1, as looped wire connections between the leads 46 and the contacts 47 The contact 47 comprises three divisions which are insulated from each other, and are connected respectively with the three different powers of electrical energy. The three separate contacts 47 are each respectively and individually connected by loops of wires 46 to the three individual p arts of the contact 47 which in like manner is connected by the loops of wires 46 to the contact 47 and the latter are likewise connected by the loops of wires 46 to the contact 47 From this it will be understood that the switch 45 comprises four sets of contact plates; each set, as 47 having three plates which are connected respectively to one of the three batteries, while the loops of wires 46 46 46 serve to connect the plates in three groups of four each, the groups having different voltages, while the loops of wires 46 serve to connect the leads 46 to the plates 47 Thus according to the position of one of the contact or switch bars 49 49 49 and 49 relatively to the contacts 47 47 47 and 47 so will be the power of current supplied to the various sets of notes connected with the various busbars, and the operating magnets 2 which they are connected with.

One or both of the pedals of the piano may be actuated electro-magnetically, and this is effected through the controlling device 60 shown on the left hand side in Fig. 2.

The speed-varying means for winding the roller 18, and so the rate at which the music is performed, is controlled by a rheostat- 61 in the motor circuit, having a plurality of contacts 62, which are connected up by a plurality of wires 63, with a number of resistances 64 and controlled by a lever 65. The current from the switch 61 is returned by a wire 66 through a general regulating switch 43.

What is claimed is 1. In electrically operated musical instruments, the combination of groups of keys; magnets for operating the keys; a plurality of bus-bars, respectively connected with each group of keys; a source of electrical energy to give different voltages; a regulator comprising a plurality of series of contacts, and

a plurality of switch contacts, the contacts of each'series being connected with the busbars, and with the source to give currents of different voltages; a tracker bar device connected with the magnets of the keys; a music sheet, means for moving the music sheet over the tracker bar device; and electrical circuits connecting the various elements together.

2. In electrically operated musical instruments, the combination of a plurality of groups of keys; magnets for operating the keys; a corresponding plurality of bus-bars; electrical batteries for giving currents of diflerent voltages; a regulator comprising a plurality of series of contacts, for regulating the connection of the batteries with each of the bus bars; a tracker bar device connected with the magnets of the keys; a music sheet; means for moving and controlling the travel of, and carrying the music sheet over the tracker bar device; and electrical circuits connecting the various elements together.

3. In electrically operated musical instruments, the combination of a plurality of groups of keys; magnets for operating the keys; a corresponding plurality of bus-bars; electrical batteries for giving currents of different voltages; a regulator comprising a plurality of series of contacts, and a plurality of switch contacts having handles, for regulating the connection of the batteries with each of the bus bars; a tracker bar device connected with the magnets, and comprising a plurality of metal plates separated by disks of insulated material, and a movable brush contact device; a music sheet; rolls for carrying the music sheet; means for operating and controlling the travel of the music sheet between the tracker bar device and the brush contact device; and electrical circuits connecting the various elements together.

t. In electrically operated musical instruments, the combination of a plurality of groups of keys; magnets for operating the keys; a corresponding plurality of bus-bars; electrical batteries for giving currents of difierent volt-ages; a regulator comprising a plurality of series of contacts, and a plu rality of switch contacts having handles, for regulating the connection of the batteries with the bus-bars; a tracker bar device connected with the magnets, and comprising a plurality of metal plates separated by disks of insulating material and a movable brush Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,

contact device; a music sheet; rolls for carrying the music sheet; a motor for operating the music rolls and sheets; gearing connecting the motor and the rolls; means for con trolling the travel of the music sheet, comprising a series of electrical resistances and a switch for varying the resistance in the motor circuit; and electrical circuits connecting the several elements together.

5. An electrically operated musical instrument; comprising a plurality of groups of keys; magnets for operating the keys; a corresponding plurality of bus-bars; a series of electrical batteries for giving currents of different voltages; a regulator for connecting the electrical batteries of different powers to the bus-bars, and comprising a plurality of series of contacts and switch contacts concentrically arranged relatively to each other; separate operating handles for the switch contacts, mounted on the same axis; concentrically arranged spindles for connecting the operating levers with the switch contacts; a tracker bar device connected with the magnets, and comprising a plurality of metal plates mounted on a sleeve of insulating material and separated from each other by disks of insulating material, and a spring-controlled movable cont-act brush; a music sheet which passes over the tracker bar device; rolls for carrying the music sheet, disposed one above and one below the device; an electric motor for operating the rolls; gearing connecting the motor and the rolls; a rheostat for varying and controlling the speed of the motor; means for reversing the direction of rotation of the music rolls for rewinding; electrical circuits connecting the several elements together; and a casing having two chambers, one containing the music sheet and rolls and tracker bar device, and the other the controlling and operating mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS ERNEST RAYMOND PHILLIPS.

IVitnesses IVALTER MoNTAcU HARRISON, SOMERVILLE GooDALL.

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

